Jul 20 , 2011 Wednesday US$1=RMB6.4592  Home  Iron Ore Ferroalloy Metal Scrap & Pig Iron
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  Contents

Steel News
HRB400 Rebar Price Summary
Medium Plate Price Summary
Shipbuilding Plate Price Summary
HR Coil/Plate Price Summary
CR Coil/Plate Price Summary
China Steel Stocks

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STEEL NEWS

China: Daily Crude Steel Output Reaches 1.955 Mln T in the First 10 Days of July
NDRC: Steelmakers Earn RMB120.6 Bln from January to May
China: Steel Industry Integration Target Loosens in Hebei
Umetal: Views on Daily Crude Steel Output Decline
Umetal: Steel Prices Hardly See Significant Drop and Bullish Market Approaches
China: Shipbuilding Plate Prices Stay Stable in Shanghai
Coal Miners Say Australia Carbon Tax Treatment Unfair
CIS: Steel Mills Push up Rebar Export Price
China: Rizhao Steel Raises Construction Steel Prices on July 19
China: Rizhao Steel Adjusts Section Product Prices on July 19

China: Baotou Steel Issues Flat Products Order Prices on Jul 19
China: Shaoguan Steel Issues Construction Steel Prices on Jul 20
China: Hebei Steel Group Sold 1.92 MT Steel Products to Key State Projects in H1


STEEL PRICE SUMMARY

Summarization of HRB400 Rebar Prices in Major Cities of China on Jul 20, 2011

UMETAL-CHINA, According to the statistics by Umetal, the average price of HRB400Ф20mm rebar stands at RMB5,132/tonne in 24 major cities of China today, up RMB12/tonne. The lowest price: RMB4,790/tonne in Hangzhou, the highest price: RMB5,620/tonne in Urumqi.

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

US$ 1=RMB 6.4592

-
20mm
-
Region
City
July 19
July 20
Change
Producing Place
East China
Shanghai
4,810
4,810
-
Pingxiang Steel
Hangzhou
4,790
4,790
-
Chengde Steel
Nanjing
5,020
5,030
+10
Shagang
Jinan
4,930
4,950
-
Jinan Steel
Hefei
5,320
5,320
-
Maanshan Steel
Fuzhou
5,100
5,100
-
Sangang
Middle South
Nanchang
5,010
5,010
-
Nanchang
Nanning
5,100
5,120
+20
Liuzhou Steel
Guangzhou
5,160
5,160
-
Maanshan Steel
Changsha
5,200
5,210
+10
Lianyuan Steel
Wuhan
4,900
4,910
+10
WISCO
Zhengzhou
5,000
5,000
-
Anyang
North China
Beijing
5,110
5,110
-
Shousteel
Tianjin
5,090
5,090
-
Tangshan Steel
Shijiazhuang
5,220
5,220
-
Chengde Steel
Taiyuan
5,160
5,160
-
Jiuquan Steel
Northeast China
Shenyang
5,180
5,190
+10
Xinfugang
Harbin
5,170
5,170
-
Xilin Steel
Southwest China
Chongqing
5,250
5,250
-
Shuicheng Steel
Chengdu
5,270
5,280
+10
Chuanwei Steel
Guiyang
5,400
5,400
-
Shuicheng Steel
Kunming
5,190
5,190
-
Kunming Steel
Northwest China
Xi'an
5,010
5,010
-
Longmen Steel
Lanzhou
5,180
5,200
+20
Jiuquan Steel
Urumqi
5,430
5,620
+190
Bayi Steel

Summarization of Medium Plate Prices in Major Cities of China on Jul 20, 2011

UMETAL-CHINA, According to the statistics by Umetal, the average price of 8mm medium plate stands at RMB5,210/tonne today in 23 major cities of China,up by RMB4/tonne. The lowest price: RMB5,010/tonne in Tianjin, the highest price: RMB5,470/tonne in Guangzhou.

The 20mm medium plate average price in 23 main areas is RMB4,894/tonne,up by RMB5/tonne. The lowest price: RMB4,710/tonne in Tianjin & Shijiazhuang , the highest price: RMB5,300/tonne in Urumqi.

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

US$ 1=RMB 6.4592

Medium Plate
8mm
20mm
City
Jul 19
Jul 20
Change
Producing Place
Jul 19
Jul 20
Change
Producing Place
Shanghai
5,180
5,180
-
Xinyu
4,840
4,840
-
Yingkou
Hangzhou
5,000
5,000
-
Nanjing Steel
4,830
4,830
-
Nanjing Steel
Nanjing
5,080
5,080
-
Nanjing Steel
4,790
4,800
+10
Maanshan Steel
Jinan
5,060
5,060
-
Jinan Steel
4,750
4,750
-
Jinan Steel
Hefei
5,200
5,220

+20

Xinyu
4,900
4,920
+20
Maanshan Steel
Fuzhou
5,390
5,390
-
Xinyu
5,000
5,000
-
Sanming
Nanchang
5,080
5,080
-
Xinyu
4,900
4,900
-
Xinyu
Guangzhou
5,470
5,470

-

Shaoguan Steel
5,020
5,020
-
Shaoguan Steel
Changsha
5,020
5,040
+20
Xinyu
4,830
4,850
+20
Liuzhou Steel
Wuhan
5,210
5,210
-
Handan Steel
4,880
4,880
-
Handan Steel
Zhengzhou
5,300
5,300
-
Xinyu
4,850
4,850
-
Anyang
Beijing
5,050
5,070
+20
Tianjin Steel
4,730
4,750
+20
Tianjin Steel
Tianjin
5,010
5,010
-
Tianjin Steel
4,710
4,710

-

Tianjin Steel
Shijiazhuang
5,210
5,210
-
Handan Steel
4,710
4,710
-
Jingye
Taiyuan
5,210
5,210
-
TISCO
4,790
4,810
+20
Liufen Steel
Shenyang
5,140
5,140
-
Tianjin Steel
4,840
4,840

-

Tianjin Steel
Harbin
5,170
5,170
-
Tianjin Steel
4,870
4,870
-
Tianjin Steel
Chongqing
5,170
5,170
-
Chongqing Steel
5,000
5,000
-
Jiuquan Steel
Chengdu
5,330
5,340
+10
Jiuquan Steel
5,040
5,050
+10
Jiuquan Steel
Kunming
5,420
5,430
+10
Liuzhou Steel
5,060
5,070
+10
Liuzhou Steel
Xi'an
5,120
5,120
-
Jiuquan Steel
4,820
4,820
-
Jiuquan Steel
Lanzhou
5,260
5,260
-
Jiuquan Steel
4,950
4,950
-
Jiuquan Steel
Urumqi
5,450
5,450
-
Jiuquan Steel
5,300
5,300
-
Jiuquan Steel

Summarization of Shipbuilding Plate Prices in Major Cities of China on Jul 20, 2011

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

US$ 1=RMB6.4592

Shipbuilding Plate
10mm
20mm
Region
Jul 19
Jul 20
Change
Producing Place
Jul 19
Jul 20
Change
2Producing Place
Shanghai
5,150
5,150
-
Xinyu Steel
5,000
5,000
-
Xinyu Steel
Nanjing
5,410
5,410
-
Wuhan Steel
5,140
5,140
-
Xinyu Steel
Jinan
5,270
5,270
-
Jinan Steel
5,120
5,120
-
Jinan Steel
Fuzhou
5,700
5,700
-
Ansteel
5,550
5,550
-
Shaoguan Steel
Ningbo
5,220
5,220
-
Tangshan Steel
5,070
5,070
-
Tangshan Steel
Tianjin
5,370
5,370
-
Jinan Steel
5,220
5,220
-
Jinan Steel
Guangzhou
5,420
5,420
-
Shaoguan Steel
5,280
5,280
-
Shaoguan Steel
Wuhan
5,130
5,130
-
Wuhan Steel
5,250
5,250
-
Jinan Steel
Chongqing
5,300
5,300
-
Wuhan Steel
-
-
-
-
Average Price
5,322
5,322
-
-
5,200
5,200
-
-

Summarization of HR Coil/Plate Prices in Major Cities of China on Jul 20, 2011

UMETAL-CHINA, According to statistics by Umetal, the 2.75mm (Q235/SS400) average price in 21 major markets is RMB4,937/tonn,up RMB8/tonne. The lowest price: RMB4,760/tonne in Tianjin. The highest price: RMB5,070/tonne in Fuzhou

The 5.5mm (Q235/SS400) average price in 21 major markets stands at RMB4,820/tonne, up RMB10/tonne. The lowest price: RMB4,700/tonne Taiyuan. The highest price: RMB4,970/tonne in Fuzhou.

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

US$ 1=RMB 6.4592

HR coil/plate
2.75mm (Q235/SS400)
5.5mm (Q235/SS400)
City
Jul 19
Jul 20
Change
Producing Place
Remark
Jul 19
Jul 20
Change
Producing Place
Remark
Shanghai
4,870
4,880
+10
Tangshan Steel
coil
4,800
4,810
+10
Shagang
coil
Nanjing
4,960
4,960
-
Tangshan Steel
coil
4,820
4,830
+10
Shagang
coil
Hangzhou
4,960
4,960
-
Shagang
coil
4,850
4,860
+10
Shagang
coil
Jinan
4,960
4,960
-
Jinan Steel
coil
4,760
4,760
-
Jinan Steel
coil
Fuzhou
5,070
5,070
-
Shagang
plate
4,970
4,970
-
Shagang
coil
Guangzhou
4,970
4,970
-
Tangshan Steel
coil
4,910
4,910
-
Tangshan Steel
coil
Lecong
4,970
4,970
-
Tangshan Steel
coil
4,910
4,910
-
Tangshan Steel
coil
Wuhan
4,910
4,940
+30
Lianyuan Steel
coil
4,760
4,760
-
Lianyuan Steel
coil
Zhengzhou
4,930
4,960
+30
Handan Steel
plate
4,770
4,770
-
Handan Steel
coil
Changsha
4,950
4,980
+30
Lianyuan Steel
plate
4,800
4,830
+30
Lianyuan Steel
coil
Beijing
4,860
4,860
-
Tangshan Steel
coil
4,760
4,760
-
Tangshan Steel
coil
Tianjin
4,740
4,760
+20
Tangshan Steel
coil
4,720
4,740
+20
Tangshan Steel
coil
Handan
4,860
4,870
+10
Tangshan Steel
coil
4,750
4,760
+10
Tangshan Steel
coil
Taiyuan
4,790
4,820
+30
Taiyuan Steel
coil
4,670
4,700
+30
Taiyuan Steel
coil
Xi'an
4,850
4,870
+20
Jiuquan Steel
coil
4,790
4,810
+20
Jiuquan Steel
coil
Lanzhou
4,940
4,940
-
Jiuquan Steel
coil
4,850
4,850
-
Jiuquan Steel
coil
Chongqing
5,050
5,050
-
Panzhihua Steel
coil
4,800
4,800
-
Panzhihua Steel
coil
Chengdu
5,050
5,050
-
Panzhihua Steel
coil
4,850
4,850
-
Panzhihua Steel
coil
Shenyang
4,890
4,890
-
Benxi Steel
coil
4,770
4,770
-
Benxi Steel
coil
Harbin
5,010
5,010
-
Tonghua Steel
coil
4,860
4,860
-
Tonghua Steel
coil
Anshan
4,870
4,870
-
Angang Steel
coil
4,770
4,770
-
Angang Steel
coil

Summarization of CR Coil/Plate Prices in Major Cities of China on Jul 20, 2011

UMETAL-CHINA, According to the statistics by Umetal, the average price of CR coil/plate stands at RMB5,438/tonne in 24 major markets of China today, up by RMB6/tonne. The lowest price: RMB5,220/tonne in Wuhan, the highest price: RMB5,800/tonne in Shijiazhuang.

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

US$ 1=RMB6.4592

1.0mm
City
Jul 19, 2011
Jul 20, 2011
Change
Producing Place
Remark
Shanghai
5,370
5,380
+10
Anshan Steel
plate
Hangzhou
5,360
5,370
+10
Anshan Steel
plate
Nanjing
5,280
5,300
+20
Wuhan Steel
coil
Jinan
5,250
5,250
-
Jinan Steel
coil
Qingdao
5,270
5,270
-
Benxi Steel
coil
Hefei
5,430
5,430
-
Maanshan Steel
plate
Fuzhou
5,600
5,600
-
Benxi Steel
coil
Nanchang
5,300
5,300
-
Wuhan Steel
coil
Guangzhou
5,470
5,520
+50
Anshan Steel
coil
Changsha
5,340
5,350
+10
Lianyuan Steel
coil
Wuhan
5,210
5,220
+10
Wuhan Steel
coil
Zhengzhou
5,370
5,370
-
Wuhan Steel
plate
Beijing
5,600
5,600
-
Anshan Steel
plate
Tianjin
5,250
5,300
+50
Anshan Steel
coil
Shijiazhuang
5,800
5,800
-
Anshan Steel
plate
Taiyuan
5,700
5,650
-50
Anshan Steel
plate
Shenyang
5,350
5,350
-
Anshan Steel
plate
Harbin
5,650
5,670
+20
Anshan Steel
plate
Chongqing
5,450
5,450
-
Panzhihua Steel
plate
Chengdu
5,430
5,430
-
Panzhihua Steel
plate
Kunming
5,700
5,700
-
Panzhihua Steel
plate
Xi'an
5,270
5,270
-
Anshan Steel
plate
Lanzhou
5,400
5,400
-
Weierka Steel
plate
Urumqi
5,480
5,540
-
Bayi Steel
plate

CHINA STEEL STOCKS

Construction Steel Inventories in Major Cities of China on Jul 15, 2011

Unit: 1,000 tonnes

Region

Rebar

Wire rod

Jul 15, 2011

Change from Jul 8

Jul 15, 2011

Change from Jul 8

Shanghai

364.81

-11.66

83.07

-1.04

Hangzhou

635.7

-26.4

52.7

-6.4

Hefei

78

0

35

-5

Nanjing

92

2

8

-1

Fuzhou

150

13

40

0

Jinan

32

-8.5

5.6

-0.1

Nanchang

83.5

-1

17.5

-3

Changsha

125

0

15

-7

Zhengzhou

92

-1

20

-2

Wuhan

304.4

-3

33.8

-5.45

Nanning

316

-28.8

119

-5.2

Liuzhou

56.5

-4.1

28.9

6.6

Guangzhou

434

-8

170

-10

Chengdu

300

-0.2

43.9

-0.9

Guiyang

41.76

2.26

13.65

-0.05

Kunming

271.88

-6.32

84.55

-4.05

Chongqing 

258

27

75

15

Beijing

361.7

-5.4

47.3

3.7

Tianjin

273.3

-2.1

40.1

2.5

Taiyuan

98

-1

35

0

Shijiazhuang

26

-1.5

4.5

0

Lanzhou

130

-10

50

15

Xi'an

321

-31.1

57

-16

Harbin

178

-11

35

-4

Changchun

75

-4

15

-3

Shenyang

220

-15

60

-10

Total

5318.55

-135.82

1189.57

-41.39

Medium Plate Inventories in Major Cities of China on Jul 15 , 2011

Unit: 1,000 tonnes

Region

Jul 8, 2011

Jul 15, 2011

Change

Shanghai

380.55

384.6

4.05

Fuzhou

12

15

3

Hangzhou

95.1

99

3.9

Hefei

10

10

0

Nanjing

40

45

5

Jinan

147

130

-17

Nanchang

6

5

-1

Wuxi

162.9

152.9

-10

Changshu Port

59.03

75.93

16.9

Taicang Port

13

13

0

Changsha

47

45

-2

Zhengzhou

56

53

-3

Wuhan

46.41

45.52

-0.89

Lecong

135

133

-2

Chengdu

28.2

29.7

1.5

Chongqing

23.2

26.9

3.7

Beijing

30.8

32.8

2

Tianjin

95.8

92.9

-2.9

Lanzhou

9

8

-1

Xi'an

33

32

-1

Harbin

25

27

2

Changchun

12

11

-1

Shenyang

38

37

-1

Total

1504.99

1504.25

-0.74

Inventories of Steel Products at Port Yuzhu on Jul 14 , 2011    

Unit: tonne

Product

Jul 14, 2011

Total

191,600

Rebar

60,300

Wire Rod

54,100

Steel Coil

8,300

Strip Steel

66,900

Round Bar

2,000

 

 

 

 

Inventories of Steel Coil & Plate in Shanghai on Jul 15, 2011

Unit: tonne

-

Jul 15, 2011

Change from Jul 8, 2011

Total

2,862,080

-19,500

Rebar

364,810

-11,660

Wire Rod

83,070

-1,040

HR Coil/Plate

1,474,350

-5,930

CR Coil/Plate

555,250

-4,920

Medium Plate

384,600

4,050

STEEL NEWS

China: Daily Crude Steel Output Reaches 1.955 Mln T in the First 10 Days of July

UMETAL-CHINA, According to the latest ten-day report unveiled by China Iron & Steel Association, daily crude steel production amounted to 1.955 million tonnes, down by 3.1% MoM.

Meanwhile, daily crude steel production of its membership steel mills reached 1.627 million tonnes, dropping by 3.8% MoM.

Figures released by CISA also shows that daily crude steel production in the late June stood at 2.018 million tonnes, rising by 3.22% MoM, which was the first time that daily crude steel output surpassed 2 million tonnes. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Source: Reuters; Compiling by Simon Liu)

NDRC: Steelmakers Earn RMB120.6 Bln from January to May

UMETAL-CHINA, According to the report released by China National Development and Reform Committee yesterday, domestic steel mills achieved profits of RMB120.6 billion in the first five months of 2011, up by 14.4% YoY.

Data also shows that China produced 350.54 million tonnes of crude steel products and 437.41 million tonnes of steel products, up by 9.6% YoY and 12.8% YoY respectively. From January to May, China imported 334.25 million tonnes of iron ore products. Meanwhile, China imported 24.33 million tonnes of steel products and exported 8.03 million tonnes of steel products, up by 3.2% and down by 4.8% separately. Volumes of imported steel billet and exported coking coal amounted to 280,000 tonnes and 2.45 million tonnes respectively.

Domestic steel prices experienced a slight decrease on June. Average steel price index stood at 135.2 points, down by 0.84 points MoM and up by 18.33 points YoY. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Source: NDRC; Compiling by Simon Liu)

China: Steel Industry Integration Target Loosens in Hebei

UMETAL-CHINA, The target of steelmaker consolidation in Hebei province has relaxed, compared with the goal stated in the "Hebei Provincial Government's Implementation Opinion about Controlling Steel Capacity, Promoting Energy Consumption and Quickening Steel Industry Structural Adjustment" released at the end of 2010.

According to an insider, the current steel industry combination in Hebei province is led by Hebei Iron & Steel Group and the steelmakers with an annual capacity of over 10 million tonnes. "After completing the merger between the state-owned steelmakers, Hebei province puts its focus on combining the private steel mills. Since last year, 10 private steel mills have been integrated by Hebei Steel's taking a 10% stake," he noted.

In the current steel sector restructuring target, it is particularly specified that "the government should encourage the industry chain recombination between the downstream & the upstream and create new advantages, new methods and new modes, so as to push the province's industrial structure to a new level."

The merger between the state-owned steelmakers and the private ones are facing various problems, such as capital shortage, assets quality and cultural integration. Therefore, it is difficult for both sides to combine by share holdings. "It is predicted that the integration mode of large steelmakers' holding 10% shares in private steel mills by injecting technology, goodwill and management techniques will remain undergoing in the future," the said source added. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4692; Source: China Securities Journal; Compiling by Tobey Li)

Umetal: Views on Daily Crude Steel Output Decline

UMETAL-CHINA, According to the latest 10-day report unveiled from CISA, its membership steelmakers produced 16.27 million tonnes of crude steel products and daily crude steel production was 1.627 million tonnes. It is estimated that China produced 19.55 million tonnes of crude steel products and daily production amounted to 1.955 million tonnes.

Here are two reasons for the production decline. Firstly, hot weather badly affects partial steel production. Secondly, due to low profits, some steel mills which produce flat products cut their production plans.

Reportedly, operation rate of blast furnaces in Hebei Province is still at the high level. In the week ending on July 16, operation rate of blast furnaces and strip production lines in Tangshan area were 92% and 82.4% respectively. Due to maintenance work and low profits, daily crude steel production will see continuous decrease in July. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Source: Umetal; Compiling by Simon Liu)


Umetal: Steel Prices Hardly See Significant Drop and Bullish Market Approaches

UMETAL-CHINA, Many market participants believe that steel prices will experience a decline between late June and late July due to rising crude steel productions and sluggish demands. When it comes to late July, steel market performance is beyond market expectation and demonstrates a consecutive uptrend even under a poor international economic environment. On July 12, affected by the worsening European debt crisis, domestic major future markets such as copper, rubber, cotton and sugar all showed significant decline except rebar future market. Facing traditional sluggish season, steel market does not show a downtrend but keep rising. It seems that steel bullish season is approaching. We believe that this round of price hike is resulted from high inflation.

On July 12, Italian debt crisis got worsen. As the third largest economy country of EU, its debt crisis arose much attention. EU and Italian government have taken many measures to solve the problem. As for U.S. debt limits issue, most industrial insiders predict that U.S. is going to release QE3 in the coming days. We believe that international financial crisis will get released in August and EU and U.S. 's behaviors will greatly boost global inflation.

In China, National Statistics Bureau unveiled a series of economic data on July 9. Figures showed that CPI rose by 6.4% YoY, a new peak since 2009. Judging from current economic condition, China will still face severe inflation pressures. Government is likely to maintain a tightening policy.

Reportedly, the power shortage has not brought much impact on steel production. Crude steel output keeps setting new records. As steelmakers increase their direct supply to local market, social inventory maintains a consecutive decline. In general, social steel inventory in major cities are at a low level, which creates a good environment for price rebound. Meanwhile, market transactions also witness obvious rise. End users are willing to purchase resources. Until last weekend, social steel inventory in 25 major cities amounted to 13.831 million tonnes, down by 26.8% compared with the peak on March 12.

Domestic steel market has been demonstrating a status of consolidation from early May to late June. Price changes of rebar and hot rolled coils are no more than RMB50/tonne. As for one tonne of steel products, steel traders have to pay RMB60-80 as the capital costs. Under such circumstances, steel traders prefer to play wait-and-see game. However, when most market participants believe that steel prices will keep dropping in July. Steel market shows some signs of increase. Firstly, iron ore prices tend to rise after the Three Giants decide to control iron ore supply. Secondly, prices for steel billet products experienced significant rebound when it reached RMB4,150/tonne. Thirdly, rebar major contract rose to 4,910 points from 4,680 points. The bullish market is on the way.

Judging from downstream industries, major steel consumption industries will see rebound in late July or August. The affordable housing project will greatly promote steel demands. Steel prices will see another rebound in August. Resulted from high inflation, steel prices will be higher than that from one year earlier. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Source: Umetal; Compiling by Simon Liu)

China: Shipbuilding Plate Prices Stay Stable in Shanghai

UMETAL-CHINA, The shipbuilding plate market stays steady in Shanghai as business starts today.

According to the market sources, transactions were flat yesterday. Most traders have not high inventories due to prior small purchases on slack demand from the end users. However, prices lack of momentum to rise due to unfavorable sales. Some individual traders with high stockpile are promoting sales by quoting low. Prices for planished shipbuilding plate are under fluctuations. In spite of a slight rise in HRC prices, shipbuilding plate prices are not able to follow up with subdued demand. The shipbuilding plate market, with a "low inventories and low costs" mode, is neither easy to rise nor fall in the short term. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Contributing by Chen Sainan; Editing by Tobey Li)

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

Product

Specification

Price

Producer

Shipbuilding Plate

8mm

5300-5350

-

Shipbuilding Plate

14-20mm

5000-5050

Xinyu Steel

Planished Shipbuilding Plate

16mm

5000-5050

TISCO; Masteel

Planished Shipbuilding Plate

6-16mm

4850-4900

-

Coal Miners Say Australia Carbon Tax Treatment Unfair

Australia's powerful coal mining industry on Sunday warned it was being unfairly singled out under the country's new carbon emissions trading scheme, predicting it will lead to job losses and fewer collieries at a time when buyers are paying top dollar for coal.

Xstrata, one of the country's biggest coal mining companies, said it was "disappointed at the government's lack of genuine consultation" before unveiling its plan to slap a carbon tax of A$23 a tonne on its 500 worst polluters.

Australia, the world's biggest coking coal exporter, relies on coal to generate 80 percent of its electricity, accounting for 37 percent of national emissions. Coal is also one of the nation's top export earners, worth A$46 billion ($49.5 billion) in overseas sales last year.

Around 40,000 people work in Australian coal mines and a further 100,000 indirectly, according to sector estimates.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced coal miners, steel and aluminum manufacturers and other heavy emitters of carbon gas polluters would pay a A$23 a tonne carbon tax rising annually to A$25.40, before shifting to market-based emissions regime in mid-2015.

Australia is the rich world's worst per capita greenhouse gas emitter due to a heavy reliance on coal-fired power stations for electricity.

Under the plan, some sectors, including aluminum, zinc refining and steel making will be given free permits covering 94.5 percent of average industry emissions for the first three years.

Gillard has also called for the full or part-shut down of the most emissions intensive electricity generators before 2020, removing up to 2,000 megawatts of capacity and replace older coal-fired power stations with cleaner ones.

"The Government has appeased some industries for political expediency but has ignored the concerns of Australia's biggest export industry and all of the small business people and employees who depend on it for their survival," said Ralph Hillman, chief executive of the Australian Coal Association.

"The government and Greens are imposing costs that none of our international competitors face, and cannot be justified in transitioning the Australian industry to a low carbon future," said Mitch Hooke, chief executive of the Minerals Council of Australia.

"It will simply export investment, jobs, global market share and emissions offshore."

The coal sector is worried too that a A$1.3 billion compensation package unveiled by Gillard to help the worst emissions intensive coal mines adjust is inadequate.

"Our concern is how far that is going to go," said Dylan Byrne, partner, head of a national sustainability advisory group for accountancy BDO.

"There are potentially a lot of mines in parts of Australia that will not see any of that money," Byrne said.

Miners are complaining that the added cost to control emissions comes in the midst of an up-cycle in the market.

A benchmark price settlement negotiated by Anglo American was struck at $315 a tonne for the third quarter with Asian mills, just beneath a record high of $330 agreed in the second quarter. Australian thermal coal sells for around $122 a tonne.

Australia's top coal miners, including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto RIO.L> and Peabody Energy each sell at around the same price.

At the starting point of A$23 a tonne, the tax would increase the cost of making coal by more than A$1.80 per tonne, according to the Australian Coal Association.

The leader of the Australian Greens party, Bob Brown, has infuriated coal miners by saying he would like to see the industry shut down altogether -- a move mining lobbyists predict would cost the economy between A$29-billion and A$36-billion a year.

Alternative energy interests hailed the Gillard plan, predicting it will lift interest in building more wind farms, solar power stations and recycling centers.

"We will see solar on steroids," said John Grimes, chief executive of the Australian Solar Energy Society.

"We are finally penalizing pollution and rewarding clean energy. That will deliver substantial investment in solar power and position Australia as a solar nation," Grimes said.

Simon Bennison, chief executive officer of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, disagreed: "Australia's sovereign risk continues to take a battering, to the detriment of investment, whilst key trading competitor countries continue to emit high levels of carbon dioxide and not incur the same carbon pricing costs as their Australian counterparts," he said. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Editing by Simon Liu)

CIS: Steel Mills Push up Rebar Export Price

UMETAL-CHINA, Due to rising demands from Middle East and North Africa area, steelmakers in CIS raise their rebar export prices for August sales by US$20/tonne, reaching US$730/tonne (FOB). However, market transactions are poor.

Market participants believe that local traders will increase their purchase volumes in the coming two weeks so that they can replenish their inventory before the Ramadan. Therefore, steel mills' price adjustment will be accepted by local traders. Once they replenish their inventory, local demands will see downtrend and rebar price is likely to drop by US$30-40/tonne. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Source: Bulk Commodity Nets; Compiling by Simon Liu)

China: Rizhao Steel Raises Construction Steel Prices on July 19

UMETAL-CHINA, The Shandong province-based Rizhao Steel lifted construction steel product prices on July 19, based on its price policy unveiled on July 14, 2011.

Specifically, EXW prices for rebar, high speed wire rod and coil rebar all rose by RMB30/tonne.

All the aforesaid prices included 17% VAT and took effect as of 18:00 July 19, 2011. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Reporting by Fang Qinda; Editing by Simon Liu)

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

Product

Specification/Material

EXW Price

Region

Rebar

HRB400 Φ16-25mm

4,873

Shanghai

Rebar

HRB400 Φ16-25mm

4,873

Shandong

Coil Rebar

HRB400 Φ8.0mm

5,293

Shanghai

Coil Rebar

HRB400 Φ8.0mm

5,323

Shandong

High-speed Wire Rod

Q235 Φ6.5mm

4,863

Shanghai

High-speed Wire Rod

Q235 Φ6.5mm

4,853

Shandong


China: Rizhao Steel Adjusts Section Product Prices on July 19

UMETAL-CHINA, The Shandong province-based Rizhao Steel corrected section product prices on July 19, based on its price policy unveiled on May 18, 2011.

Specifically, prices for channel steel and I-steel products saw an increase of RMB50/tonne while prices for H-beam products kept stable.

All the aforesaid prices included 17% VAT and took effect as of July 19, 2011. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Reporting by Fang Qinda; Editing by Simon Liu)

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

Product

Specification/Material

EXW Price

Region

H-Beam

200*200mm

4,803

Shandong, Shanghai

H-Beam

200*100mm

4,803

Shandong, Shanghai

H-Beam

350*150mm

4,803

Shandong, Shanghai

H-Beam

350*175mm

4,823

Shandong; Shanghai

Channel Steel

-

4,873

Shanghai

Channel Steel

-

4,883

Shandong

I-Steel

-

4,873

Shanghai

I-Steel

-

4,863

Shandong


China: Baotou Steel Issues Flat Products Order Prices on Jul 19

UMETAL-CHINA, The Inner Mongolia-based Baotou Steel lifts flat products prices by RMB200/tonne on Jul 19, 2011 for orders from Jul 16 to Aug 15, based on prices released on Jul 15.

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

Product

Specification

Price

HRC

Q2355.5mm

4,830

CRC

SPCC1.0mm

5,410

CR Full Hard Coil

SPCC1.0mm

5,250

Galvanized Sheet

SGCC1.0mm

5,960

All the aforesaid prices include the 17% VAT and are effective from Jul 16 to Aug 15, 2011. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Source: Baotou Steel; Compiling by Tobey Li)

China: Shaoguan Steel Issues Construction Steel Prices on Jul 20

UMETAL-CHINA, The Guangdong province-based Shaoguan Steel releases construction steel prices on Jul 20, 2011.

Specifically, high-speed wire rod prices rise by RMB40/tonne while rebar, coiled rebar and steel wire see prices stable.

All the aforesaid prices include the 17% VAT and will become effective as of 6:00 p.m., Jul 20, 2011. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Source: Shaoguan Steel; Compiling by Tobey Li)

The table below shows more details. (Unit: RMB/tonne)

Product

Specification

Price

High-speed Wire Rod

Q235 Φ8-10mm

4,990

High-speed Wire Rod

Q235 Φ6.5mm

5,010

Rebar

HRB335 Φ18-25mm

4,960

Coiled Rebar

HRB335 Φ6mm

5,100

Steel Wire

Q195L Φ6.5mm

4,980

China: Hebei Steel Group Sold 1.92 MT Steel Products to Key State Projects in H1

UMETAL-CHINA, Hebei Steel Group sold 1.9219 million tonnes of steel products to China's major construction projects in the first half year of 2011, accounting for 64% of the year's 3 million tonne plan and getting a profit of RMB10.907 million.

Hebei Steel Group Sales Corporation, a subsidiary of Hebei Steel Group, is charging sales of key steel products made by the parent company. It was set up on Nov 18, 2008, based on Tangshan Steel, Handan Steel, Xuanhua Steel, Chengde Steel and Wuyang Steel.

The corporation sold a total of 7.6708 million tonne steel products in Q1, realizing a sales revenue of RMB38.283 billion and a loan recovery rate of 100%. Quality steel sales reached 4.5457 million tonnes, a yearly rise of 9.1%. It made an optimized profit of RMB157 million in the same period. (US$ 1=RMB 6.4592; Source: Hebei Steel Group; Compiling by Tobey Li)